27 police officers injured, 42 protesters arrested in Melbourne 'anti-war,' anti-Israel demonstration

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In an “anti-war” protest in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday, many protesters turned violent, leading to 27 injured police officers and the arrests of 42, according to Australian news outlet 9News.

The Times of Israel reported that “many protesters” were heard “chanting pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel slogans through loudspeakers,” including “From the river to the sea.”

The demonstration drew approximately 1,200 people protesting the "Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition," which describes itself as “the premier platform for interaction between defence, industry and government of all levels, to meet, do business and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the global land defence markets.”

To provide security for this year’s exposition, Melbourne deployed the largest number of police officers it has utilized for any event since hosting the World Economic Forum in 2000.

"Students for Palestine," "Extinction Rebellion" and "Disrupt Wars" were some of the groups involved in organizing the “anti-war” demonstration, which saw protesters throwing acid at police officers, blocking roads, committing arson and engaging in various other criminal acts.

9News reported that “protesters were accused of throwing projectiles like rocks, suspected human faeces, horse manure and balloons carrying unknown liquids” at police officers.

“By 7pm today, 22 of those [arrested] had been charged and released on bail, 10 had been fined and another 10 were expected to be charged on summons later,” the report continued.

A spokesperson of Students for Palestine said the group was involved in the protest to “stand up for all those who have been killed by the type of weapons on display at the convention.”

She also said the police “used serious weapons on peace activists that should be banned for use on demonstrators, including pepper spray, which is classified as a chemical weapon. They hit us with batons, including hitting one man so hard he had to go to the hospital, and they shot us with rubber bullets.”

Commenting on the violence of the protestors, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton stated: “They come here to protest against anti-war, so presumably anti-violence. The only way I can describe them is a bunch of hypocrites.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the protesters’ violence, stating, “You don’t say you’re opposed to defense equipment by throwing things at police. They’ve got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times.”